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Published: December 18th 2008
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Thanksgiving 2008.
The day I turned in to Tammy from Wyoming to celebrate Thanksgiving with my Americans friends. Annyong haseyo from South Korea!
I have only been here for 10 months, visited 5 countries since living here (Japan, Philippines, North Korea, China and Taiwan) and now I decide to start my own travel blog. Since I am on my last leg of my journey in Korea, I thought I could share some of my experiences with you all. However, I am actually in the process of looking for another job out here - so I may just be out here for a little longer yet ??
Arriving here in March 2008 was strange. I remember coming in to Seocho and seeing lights everywhere, reminding me of what I thought Japan would be like (and indeed was).
I was taken straight to my school, and then told that my (free) apartment would not be ready for 2 days. I was to stay in a motel for my first 2 nights in Korea. I was getting quite excited as I had just passed the JW Marriott and I presumed I would be in a nice suite for 2 days. WRONG. I was placed in a 30'000 Won (£15) per night Love Motel - a place I later find
Halloween 2008.
One of the best fancy dress nights in SK so far ... and we've had a lot! out is where young Korean couples go to, er, well, er, not to admire the view, put it that way!!! (I then after a week or so in Korea find out that a majority of young Koreans, male and female have curfews and HAVE to be home by the time their parents set, or get thrown out. This includes people who maybe in their mid 30s who are still not married and living with their folks). Anyways, back to the story. I didn't know what a Love motel was - but I was a bit confused as to why I heard the doors "banging" all night ... ?
My first apartment was something to be desired. I would go as far as saying it was the size of a garage on a British semi detached house. It was bloody awful. I had a few bits of furniture provided, but no bedding. I spent my first night in my own apartment, freezing cold, under my coat. No body told me that radiators do not exist here and the heating comes from the pipes under the floor boards!!
I can not say that I settled straight in to my job.
80'S Night.
My 80's themed birthday was a great success. So many people came out - and a vast majority in day glow! I was a Kindy - Elementary teacher, working 9-4:40. I had been a week late coming to SK as I had to have a wisdom tooth out. Once I arrived it seemed as if everybody else had settled in and was liking their kids. I on the other hand had 2 boys. TWO BOYS! That's not what I call a class. To make matters worse, half of my books had not shown up either and I was told to improvise. Tears in the first week were bi weekly. I hated it. I hated teaching the little ones, which is so unlike me. However, a co worker had finished his contract as an afternoon teacher, and 3 weeks later I stepped in to an elementary position and I couldn't of been happier.
I have been doing this for 10 months now and I really do love it. I have GREAT kids. I teach about 40 kids a week in small 40 minute classes. Am so happy with my grade 1 kids who are 8 years old in Korea, 7 in the "normal" world. Koreans class the womb stage as year 1 .... so you can actually turn 2 within the space of being three months old.
There have been a few changes within the school, a new director and supervisor, kids dropping / new arrivals etc, but most of all it follows a pattern, and I have been happy.
I have met and worked with one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life, my darling Stefanie. She has absolutely made this experience for me and I will be gutted to say good bye to her when she leaves in March .... but, this ESL world is a big one ... and until we meet again, someday, somewhere.
I will try to maintain this blog - now that I have actually set it up. I have many more trips to come, and perhaps as time goes on I will post about some of my previous trips to some of the 32 countries I have already visited.
For now, Happy Christmas!!! I will be in Hong Kong for this one, my third away from home. Something tells me this Asian Xmas maybe the most random yet??? Street food and $2 beers prehaps???
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